Code of Conduct Policy

Grand County Public Library Code of Conduct

Adopted by the Grand County Public Library Board of Directors on July 10, 2003 and revised on September 19, 2007, July 9, 2008, January 21, 2009, June 16, 2010, May 17, 2012, August 8, 2013, April 17, 2014, March 12, 2015, and July 14, 2016.

The Grand County Public Library has an obligation to its patrons to maintain an atmosphere conducive to reading, study, research, and the pursuit of life-long learning opportunities. Library patrons are expected to use the Library, including its facilities, grounds, resources and materials, in a responsible, appropriate, and courteous manner.

This Code of Conduct exists for the comfort and protection of all. It will be courteously and firmly enforced by Library staff. Behavior becomes unacceptable when it infringes on the rights of others to utilize library services and facilities, when it could result in injury to oneself or others or when it could result in loss or damage to patron or Library property. If necessary, the police may be called for assistance. Persons who fail to follow the Library Code of Conduct, depending upon the severity of the offense, may be given a verbal warning, suspended from utilizing Library privileges, suspended from entering Library property for a specified time period, and/or face legal action. Repetitive violations could mean permanentsuspension from Library privileges and/or property. For further clarification please see Addendum A: Procedure for Adults who Violate the Library’s Code of Conduct, Addendum B: the Grand County Public Library’s Children’s Policy and Addendum C: Procedure for Children who Violate the Children’s Policy.

Instances of irresponsible use of the Library and supporting examples include:

(a) Any illegal activity including stealing, damaging, or altering any Library property.

Examples (include but are not limited to): gambling, altering or damaging setup of computer equipment or software; writing on Library materials; cutting or tearing out pages from Library materials; carving table tops; puncturing upholstery; trampling the landscape; starting a fire; moving furniture without the express consent of the Library staff; or use of furniture in any manner that may damage the furniture, including placing feet on the furniture; using a library card for which you are not an authorized user to check out library materials or use the library’s public access computers.

(b) Disorderly, drunken, dangerous, disruptive, or threatening behavior that may jeopardize the personal safety of adult patrons, juvenile patrons, staff or facilities at the Library, or that cause a nuisance to other patrons or Library staff.

Examples (include but are not limited to): cursing; making obscene gestures; wearing clothing which can reasonably be deemed vulgar or obscene by community standards; wearing inadequate clothing including failure to wear shoes; approaching patrons or staff and engaging in unwanted or inappropriate interaction; threatening the personal safety of patrons or staff; transmitting threatening, harassing, malicious, or abusive language and images; running, skateboarding, or rollerblading; fighting; spitting; using a laser pointer (except for authorized use in a presentation); climbing the courtyard walls; improperly using Library restrooms or facilities for purposes such as bathing, shaving or changing clothes; disciplining children in a manner which disrupts use of the Library by others; leaving children under the age of eight unattended on Library premises; entering non-public areas of the Library without permission. Any bicycle or other item blocking the Library entryway is subject to confiscation.

(c) Loitering (Patrons shall be engaged in activities associated with the use of a public library while in the building.)

Examples (include but are not limited to): blocking the entry ways, vestibules or book return; laying down on the floor or on library furniture; refusing to leave Library premises at closing. Disruptive groups congregating on Library grounds will be asked to disperse.

(d) Consumption of intoxicants and/or tobacco.

Examples (include but are not limited to): consuming drugs, alcohol, or tobacco products inside the Library, including entryways and restrooms or within a 25 foot perimeter of an outside door.

(e) Consumption of food and/or drink. (Water in covered containers is allowed in the Library.) Food and drinks other than water are only permitted in staff areas, the Library’s courtyard, and for groups in the meeting rooms participating in a Library organized program.

(f) Brandishing, displaying, or exhibiting weapons or any other item in a threatening manner.

(g) Stalking.

Examples (include but are not limited to): conduct that alarms, annoys, or harasses another patron or staff; an adult (unaccompanied by a child) in the Children’s Library area who is not engaged in Library business.

Examples (include but are not limited to): inappropriate touching; attempting or threatening physical contact; solicitation for sex; display of sexually explicit materials or sites from the Internet in view of minors; exhibitionism/flashing; excessive public displays of affection.

(i) Soliciting donations of money; or distributing materials at the Library without prior approval. Community organizations may submit literature to the Administration for approval for display in the display racks in the Library. Soliciting signatures on a petition is allowed outside the library. Petitioners may not impede access to the library or alarm, annoy, or harass another patron or staff member. Petitions left unattended will be discarded.

Example (includes but is not limited to): panhandling.

(j) Offensive personal hygiene or appearance.

Examples (include but are not limited to): body odor/perfume/cologne which is detectable by smell from two or more feet away from the offending patron and which elicits complaints or causes discomfort to other Library users or staff; failure to wear shoes and/or shirt inside the Library building or courtyard.

Examples (include but are not limited to): loud talking, singing, whistling, playing a musical instrument or portable audio player; prolonged ringing of any portable instrument; crying children for an extended period; loud headphones. Talking on a cell phone and using VOIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) is only permitted in the library’s courtyard and the library’s meeting rooms.

(l) Bringing animals or pets into the Library separate from authorized programs, with the exception of service animals.

(m) Any questionable behavior or actions not listed above will be left to the discretion of the Library director or his/her designee for review and action.

In addition, parents are responsible for the behavior of their children. Parents are asked to come with their children not only for their own safety but to show respect for other Library patrons. The Library enforces its Children’s Policy. A parent or caregiver must keep a child aged seven and under within his/her sight. A caregiver must be at least 12 years of age and be able to monitor the child’s behavior and ensure compliance with library policy on behavior.

The Library is not responsible for personal belongings left unattended. Personal items left by patrons are subject to disposal.

Any person who is asked to leave the Library as a result of the violation of these guidelines and refuses to do so shall be considered to be trespassing and may be subject to permanent suspension from the Library and/or arrest. Any patron who has been suspended from the Library or denied library privileges by the Library Director can submit a written appeal within 30 days of receiving the Library Director’s decision. The appeal will be reviewed by the Grand County Public Library Board of Directors at their next regularly scheduled Board meeting.